System for externally cooling a beverage holder

ABSTRACT

A system for externally cooling a beverage holder holding a specific amount of beverage comprises a cooling housing having an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall is made of thermal conductive material for contacting at least a part of the beverage holder. The cooling housing defines an inner compartment including at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants, causing when reacting with one a other a non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction producing substantially non-toxic products in a stoichiometric number. The at least two separate substantially non-toxic reactants are initially included in the inner compartment separated from one another and causing, when reacting with one another in the non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction, a heat reduction of the beverage within the beverage holder. The system further comprises an actuator for initiating the reaction between the at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants, and an insulating layer of thermal insulating material enclosing the cooling housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the national phase entry, under 35 U.S.C. Section 371(c), of International Application No. PCT/EP2014/051096, filed Jan. 21, 2014, claiming priority from European Application No. 13152029.8, filed Jan. 21, 2013. The disclosures of the International application and the European Application from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a system for externally cooling a beverage holder, a method of externally cooling a beverage holder and a method of producing an external cooling system for a beverage holder.

Beverage cans and beverage bottles have been used for decades for storing beverages, such as carbonated beverages, including beer, cider, sparkling wine, carbonated mineral water or various soft drinks, or alternatively non-carbonated beverage's, such as non-carbonated water, milk products such as milk and yoghurt, wine or various fruit juices. The beverage containers, such as bottles and in particular cans, are typically designed for accommodating a maximum amount of beverage, while minimizing the amount of material used, while still ensuring the mechanical stability of the beverage container.

Most beverages have an optimal serving temperature significantly below the typical storage temperature. Beverage containers are typically stored at room temperatures in supermarkets, restaurants, private homes and storage facilities. The optimal consumption temperature for most beverages is around 5° C. and therefore, cooling is needed before serving the beverage. Typically, the beverage container is positioned in a refrigerator or a cold storage room or the like well in advance of serving the beverage so that the beverage may assume a temperature of about 5° C. before serving. Persons wishing to have a beverage readily available for consumption must therefore keep their beverage stored at a low temperature permanently. Many commercial establishments such as bars, restaurants, supermarkets and petrol stations require constantly running refrigerators for being able to satisfy the customers' need of cool beverage. This may be regarded a waste of energy since the beverage can may have to be stored for a long time before being consumed. In the present context, it should be mentioned that the applicant company alone installs approximately 17000 refrigerators a year for providing cool beverages, and each refrigerator typically has wattage of about 200 W. As discussed above, the cooling of beverage containers by means of refrigeration is very slow and constitutes a waste of energy. Some persons may decrease the time needed for cooling by storing the beverage container for a short period of time inside a freezer or similar storage facility having a temperature well below the freezing point. This, however, constitutes a safety risk because if the beverage container is not removed from the freezer well before it freezes, it may cause a rupture in the beverage can due to the expanding beverage. Alternatively, a bucket of ice and water may be used for a more efficient cooling of beverage since the thermal conductivity of water is significantly above the thermal conductivity of air.

In the present context, it may be considered to provide the beverage container with an internal cooling element which may be activated shortly before consuming the beverage for cooling the beverage to a suitable low temperature. Various techniques relating to cooling of beverage cans and self-cooling beverage cans have been described in among others U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,567, U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,684, EP0498428, U.S. Pat. No. 2,882,691, GB2384846, WO2008000271, GB2261501, U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,413, U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,667, U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,121, U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,917, U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,164, US20080178865, JP2003207243, JP2000265165, U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,890, WO8502009, U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,478, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,872, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,273, WO2000077463, EP87859 (fam U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,917), U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,357, DE3024856, U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,241 (fam EP0498428), GB1596076, U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,434, WO02085748, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,239, U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,191, U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,310, WO0110738, EP1746365, U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,684, EP0498428, U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,678, U.S. Pat. No. 2,746,265, U.S. Pat. No. 1,897,723, U.S. Pat. No. 2,882,691, GB2384846, U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,343, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,237, WO2008000271, GB2261501, US20080178865, JP2003207243, U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,890, U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,478, WO2000077463, WO02085748.

The above-mentioned documents describe technologies for generating cooling via dissolution of salts, chemical reaction, or via vaporization. For using such technologies as described above, an instant cooling can be provided to a beverage and the need of pre-cooling and consumption of electrical energy is avoided. However, among the above technologies, the cooling device is large in comparison with the beverage container. In other words, a large beverage container has to be provided for accommodating a small amount of beverage resulting in a waste of material and volume. The beverage/cooling device size ratio has been unfavorable to such extent that a commercial utilization of the above cooling devices have been very limited. Consequently, there is a need for cooling devices generating more cooling and/or occupying less space within the beverage container.

The applicant has committed significant resources in researching a more space efficient cooling device which would be able to cool a larger amount of beverage using a smaller volume of the cooling device. Examples of such devices are described by the applicant in WO 2011/157735, WO 2010/066775 and WO 2010/066772. These cooling devices use an entropy increasing reaction in order to yield a more efficient cooling of the beverage.

One problem experienced using the above cooling devices located within the beverage container is that under some circumstances, the cooling effect of the cooling device is sufficient for creating beverage ice crusts adjacent the cooling device. Such ice crusts may prevent a correct dispensation of the beverage and further the user has to wait until the ice crust melts in order to consume the part of the beverage which has been converted to ice. Further, some beverages, such as carbonated beverages, will deteriorate when solidified. A further problem is the activation of the cooling device within the beverage container. The cooling device must either detect the opening of the beverage container or alternatively a pass through mechanism must be made in the container such that the cooling device may be activated from outside the beverage container. Yet a further problem is the case of leaking cooling devices which may cause the beverage to taste different or even have adverse effects on the health of the user.

German published patent application DE 21 50 305 A1 describes a method for cooling beverage bottles or cans. A cooling cartridge including a soluble salt is included in the bottle or can. By dissolving the salt in a specific volume of water, a cooling effect is obtained by utilizing the negative solution enthalpy. However, by using the negative solution enthalpy as proposed, the lowest temperature achieved was about 12° C., assuming an initial temperature of 21° C. None of the examples of embodiments achieves the sought temperature of about 5° C. By calculating the heat reduction in the beverage (Q=c*m*ΔT), the example embodiments achieve heat reductions of only about 15-38 J/ml of beverage. All of the examples of embodiments also require reactants having a total volume exceeding 33% of the beverage volume. Further, all of the reactions proposed in the above-mentioned document are considered as reversible, since the reaction may be reversed by simply removing the water from the solution. By removing the water, the dissolved salt ions will recombine and form the original reactants.

The German utility model DE 299 11 156 U1 discloses a beverage can having an external cooling element. The cooling element may be activated by applying pressure to mix two chemicals located therein. The document only describes a single chemical reaction including dissolving and disassociation of potassium chloride, saltpeter and ammonium chloride in water, which is stated to reach a temperature of 0° C. or even −16° C. of the cooling element, although the description is silent about the starting temperature of the cooling element and the efficiency of such external cooling. The description is also silent about any thermal losses to the surroundings which may occur using an external cooling device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device which may be used outside the beverage container in order to cool the beverage in a more controlled and safe way. Further, it is an object of the present invention to prevent any loss of cooling effect to the surroundings of the cooling system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objects together with numerous other objects, which will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred embodiments according to the present invention are according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by a system for externally cooling a beverage holder, the beverage holder holding a specific amount of beverage, the system comprising:

-   -   a cooling housing having an inner wall and an outer wall, the         inner wall being of thermally conductive material for contacting         at least a part of the beverage holder, the cooling housing         defining an inner compartment including at least two separate,         substantially non-toxic reactants causing, when reacting with         one another, a non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction         producing substantially non-toxic products in a stoichiometric         number at least a factor 3, preferably at least a factor 4, more         preferably at least a factor 5 larger than the stoichiometric         number of the reactants, the at least two separate substantially         non-toxic reactants initially being included in the inner         compartment separated from one another and causing, when         reacting with one another in the non-reversible,         entropy-increasing reaction, a heat reduction of the beverage         within the beverage holder,     -   an actuator for initiating the reaction between the at least two         separate, substantially non-toxic reactants, and     -   an insulating layer of thermal insulating material enclosing the         cooling housing.

The system should be able to cool the beverage from outside the beverage holder, i.e. the cooling housing should never be immersed within the beverage. The beverage holder is construed to mean storage devices such as a conventional can, container, keg, bottle, glass or other suitable package, which is customarily used for storing the beverage during transporting and handling from the production site to the consumer site. Further, the beverage holder is construed to encompass tapping lines, trunks and coils which are used for transporting beverage from a storage device to a dispensing device at which the beverage is dispensed. Small tapping lines may be used in domestic and single use beverage dispensing systems. Larger tapping lines and trunks are used in professional systems, in which the beverage may be transported several meters between the storage device and the tapping device. The beverage holder typically has a cylindrical shape.

The inner wall of the cooling housing may be adapted for circumferentially enclosing and contacting the bottom, the top or the side surface of the beverage holder. The inner wall should be made of thermally conductive material which should be understood to mean a material that is inherently capable of transmitting heat energy in an efficient way, such as metal, or alternatively, a moderate heat conductor such as plastics may be used, provided the thickness of the inner wall is small. In order to achieve a large cooling effect, it is desirable to enclose a large portion of the beverage holder within the cooling housing. Preferably, a significant portion such as 70%, 80%, 90% or even 100% of said beverage holder is enclosed by said cooling housing; however, in order to merely maintain a low temperature of an already chilled beverage, it may be sufficient to merely contact a small portion of the beverage holder, such as 10%-20%. The contact surface between the inner wall and the beverage holder should be as large as possible, i.e. any air pockets should if possible be prevented. The inner compartment of the cooling housing should be separated from the beverage holder by the inner wall in order to avoid any accidental contamination of the beverage.

The two reactants in the inner compartment of the cooling housing should be held separately before activation of the cooling housing and when the cooling housing is activated, the two reactants are caused to react with one another. The reactants may be held separately by for instance being accommodated in two separated chambers or alternatively, one or both of the reactants may be provided with a coating preventing any reaction to start until activation. The two reactants should be substantially non-toxic, which will be understood to mean non-fatal if accidentally consumed in the relevant amounts used in the cooling housing. It is further contemplated that there may be more than two reactants, such as three or more reactants. The reaction should be an entropy increasing reaction, i.e. the number of reaction products should be larger than the number of reactants. In the present context it has surprisingly been found out that an entropy increasing reaction producing products of a stoichiometric number of at least three, preferably four or more, preferably five larger than the stoichiometric number of the reactants will produce a more efficient cooling than a smaller stoichiometric number. The stoichiometric number is the relationship between the number of products divided with the number of reactants. The reaction should be non-reversible, i.e. understood to mean that it should not without significant difficulties be possible to reverse the reaction, which would cause a possible reheating of the beverage.

Further, the term non-reversible should be considered to be synonymous with the word irreversible. The term non-reversible reaction should be understood to mean a reaction in which the reaction products and the reactants do not form a chemical equilibrium, which is reversible by simply changing the proportions of the reactants and/or the reaction products and/or the external conditions such as pressure, temperature etc. Examples of non-reversible reactions include reactions in which the reaction products constitute a complex, a precipitation or a gas. Chemical reactions, such as reactions involving the dissolving of a salt in a liquid such as water and disassociation of the salt into ions, which form equilibrium, will come to a natural stop when the forward reaction and the backward reaction proceed at equal rate. E.g. in most solutions or mixtures, the reaction is limited by the solubility of the reactants. A non-reversible reaction as defined above will continue until all of the reactants have reacted.

Many non-reversible entropy increasing reactions are known as such. One example is found on the below internet URL:

http://web.archive.org/web/20071129232734/http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/demo/demoshe ets/5.1.html. The above reference suggests the below reaction:

Ba(OH)2.8H2O(s)+2NH4SCN(s)→Ba(SCN)2+2NH3(g)+10H2O(l)

The above reference suggests that the reaction above is endothermal and entropy increasing and generates a temperature below the freezing temperature of water.

Different from most solution reactions, it should be noted that the above reaction may be initiated without the addition of any liquid water. Some other non-reversible entropy increasing reactions require only a single drop of water to initiate.

The use of ammonia is in the present context not preferred, since ammonia may be considered toxic, and will, in case it escapes into the beverage, yield a very unpleasant taste to the beverage. Preferably, all reactants as well as reaction products should in addition to being non-toxic have a neutral taste in case of accidental release into the beverage.

An actuator is used for activating the chemical reaction between the reactants. A reactant may include a pressure transmitter for transmitting a pressure increase, or alternatively a pressure drop, from the outside of the cooling housing for initiating the reaction. The cooling housing may be arranged to activate when the beverage container is being opened; alternatively, a mechanical actuator may be used to initiate the chemical reaction from the outside of the cooling housing. The mechanical actuator may constitute a string or a rod or communicate between the outside and the inside of the cooling housing for activating the chemical reaction. Alternatively, the mechanical actuator may be mounted in connection with the container closure so that when the container is opened, a chemical reaction is activated. The activation may be performed by bringing the two reactants in contact with each other, i.e. by providing the reactants in different chambers provided by a breakable, dissolvable or rupturable membrane, which is caused to break, dissolve or rupture by the actuator. The membrane may for instance be caused to rupture by the use of a piercing element. The reaction products should, as well as the reactants, be substantially non-toxic.

One kind of activator is disclosed in the previously mentioned DE 21 50 305 A1, which uses a spike to penetrate a membrane separating the two chemicals. US 2008/0016882 shows further examples of activators having the two chemicals separated by a peelable membrane or a small conduit.

The volume of the products should not substantially exceed the volume of the reactants, since otherwise, the cooling housing may be caused to explode during the chemical reaction.

A safety margin of 3 to 5%, or alternatively a venting aperture, may be provided. A volume reduction should be avoided as well. The reactants are preferably provided as granulates, since granulates may be easily handled and mixed. The granulates may be provided with a coating for preventing reaction. The coating may be dissolved during activation by for instance a liquid entering the reaction chamber and dissolving the coating. The liquid may be referred to as an activator and may constitute e.g. water, propylene glycol or an alcohol. It is further contemplated that a reaction controlling agent, such as a selective adsorption controlling agent or a retardation temperature setting agent may be used for reducing the reaction speed; alternatively, a catalyst may be used for increasing the reaction speed.

According to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the two separate reactants comprise one or more salt hydrates. Salt hydrates are known for producing an entropy increasing reaction by releasing water molecules. In the present context, a proof-of-concept has been made by performing a laboratory experiment. In the above-mentioned laboratory experiment, a dramatic energy change has been established by causing two salts, each having a large number of crystal water molecules added to the structure, to react and liberate the crystal water as free water. In the present laboratory experiment, the following chemical reaction has been tried out: Na2SO4, 10H2O+CaCl2, 6H2O→2NaCl+CaSO4, 2H2O+14H2O. The left side of the reaction scheme includes a total of two molecules, whereas the right side of the reaction schemes includes twenty molecules. Therefore, the entropy element—TΔS becomes fairly large, as ΔS is congruent to k×ln 20/2.

The above chemical reaction produces a simple salt in an aqueous solution of gypsum. It is therefore evident that all constituents in this reaction are non-toxic and non-polluting. In the present experiment; 64 grams of Na2SO4 and 34 grams of CaCl2, the reaction has produced a temperature reduction of 20° C., which has been maintained stable for more than two hours. According to the present invention, a cooling housing is provided based on a chemical reaction between two or more reactants. The chemical reaction is a spontaneous non-reversible endothermic reaction driven by an increase in the overall entropy. The reaction absorbs heat from the surroundings resulting in an increase in thermodynamic potential of the system. ΔH is the change in enthalpy and has a positive sign for endothermic reactions.

The spontaneity of a chemical reaction can be ascertained from the change in Gibbs free energy ΔG.

At constant temperature ΔG=ΔH−T*ΔS. A negative ΔG for a reaction indicates that the reaction is spontaneous. In order to fulfill the requirements of a spontaneous endothermic reaction, the overall increase in entropy ΔS for the reaction has to overcome the increase in enthalpy ΔH.

When employing a cooling housing externally in relation to the beverage holder, it is contemplated that heat from the outside, e.g. the ambient air or heat originating from the user, may be absorbed by the cooling housing and thus reduce the cooling effect of the cooling housing relative to the beverage holder. In order to reduce the amount of heat entering the cooling housing from the outside, the cooling housing should be enclosed by an insulating material. The insulating material should be a material having a thickness and conductivity chosen such that the heat transfer between the inner compartment of the cooling housing and the outside of the insulating material is lower than the heat transfer between the inner compartment and the inner wall of the housing adjacent the beverage holder. The insulating material is thus a material having a lower heat transfer coefficient than the material between the inner chamber and the inner wall. Alternatively or in addition, the insulating material may be thicker than the material between the inner compartment and the inner wall. Thus, a significant amount and preferably the greatest amount of heat absorbed by the cooling housing should originate from the beverage holder and not from the surroundings.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the cooling housing comprises a further layer of insulating material disposed in-between the inner compartment and the inner wall. In some cases, the cooling housing is capable of reducing the temperature of the beverage to below the freezing point of the beverage. In such cases there is a risk of ice crust formation within the beverage holder. In order to reduce the cooling performance on the beverage holder, the inner wall of the cooling housing may be covered by a layer of insulation material. In this way, the cooling performance on the beverage holder will be delayed and ice crust formation on the outwardly oriented wall of the of the beverage holder, i.e. the wall adjacent the inwardly oriented wall, may be avoided.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the cooling housing comprises a layer of PCM having a melting temperature of between −10° C. to 10° C. disposed in-between the inner compartment and the inner wall. In order to prevent ice crust formation on the outwardly oriented wall of the beverage holder, a PCM (Phase Change Material) may be used between the inner wall and the inner compartment. The PCM is understood to be a material which is liquid in room temperature but solidifies at a lower temperature. Preferably, the melting temperature of the PCM is a few degrees centigrade above zero. In this way, ice cannot form within the beverage holder since the temperature will not fall below the melting temperature of the PCM material until all of the PCM material has assumed solid phase. Since the heat of fusion is high for most PCM materials, a small amount of PCM may be sufficient for preventing ice formation in the beverage holder. The simplest option is to use water as PCM. The freezing point of water may be modified by additives, such as salts or salt hydrates, and/or by pressure. Other materials which may be used as PCM material and/or additives may include oils, fatty substances or glycol.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the inner wall defines a cavity for receiving a bottom portion of the beverage holder. In order to be able to use the cooling housing as a beverage coaster, the inner wall may define a cavity which merely contacts the bottom of the beverage holder and optionally a portion of the side of the beverage holder in order to improve stability.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the inner wall is adapted for circumferentially enclosing said beverage holder and defining an inner cooling space. Such cooling space may be used as a cooling box for cooling a plurality of beverage holders. Preferably, the inner wall forms a sleeve which may circumferentially enclose the beverage holder. Most beverage holders have a cylindrical shape which may be enclosed by a sleeve.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the inner wall has a heat transfer coefficient 2-100, preferably 3-10, times greater than the heat transfer coefficient of the insulating layer. In this way, the heat transfer between the inner compartment of the cooling housing and the outside of the insulating material will be lower than the heat transfer between the inner compartment and the inner wall of the housing adjacent the beverage holder. Since any heat absorbed by the cooling housing from the surroundings may be considered a loss, a high thermal conductivity of the inner wall will yield a more effective cooling. The inner wall may thus be made very thin or alternatively of a high thermally conductive material such as metal.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the cooling housing comprises a lid for completely enclosing the beverage holder. A cooling box, i.e. a cooling housing including a lid, may be used for completely enclosing the beverage holder and thus achieve a more efficient cooling by eliminating all thermal losses, which results by partially exposing the beverage holder to the ambient surroundings.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the cooling housing comprises a first and a second cooling housing part, each of the first and second cooling housing parts having an inner wall part and an outer wall part, each inner wall part of the first and second cooling housing parts being adapted for circumferentially encircling a first and a second beverage holder, respectively, the first cooling housing parts being connected through a central housing element of the cooling housing to the second cooling housing part, in which central housing element the inner wall of the first cooling housing part is connected to the outer wall part of the second cooling housing part, and, the outer wall part of the first cooling housing part is connected to the inner wall part of the second cooling housing part. In this way one single housing may be capable of enclosing two beverage holders. The first and second cooling housing parts are located on each side of the central housing element, which all together preferably form a unitary cooling housing body of shallow rectangular shape. The cooling housing should preferably be flexible in order to circumferentially enclose the beverage holders.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the first and second cooling housing parts define a first and a second housing end part, respectively, the first and second housing end parts being positioned juxtaposed the central housing element on opposite sides thereof. In order to achieve a FIG. 8 configuration, the opposing ends of the cooling housing may be located juxtaposing each other having the central housing element in-between.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the cooling housing comprises a first and a second cooling housing part, each of the first and second cooling housing parts having an inner wall part and an outer wall part, each inner wall part of the first and second cooling housing parts being adapted for circumferentially encircling a first and a second beverage holder, respectively, the first cooling housing part being connected through a central housing element of the cooling housing to the second cooling housing part, in which central housing element the inner wall of the first cooling housing part is connected to the inner wall part of the second cooling housing part, and, the outer wall part of the first cooling housing part is connected to the outer wall part of the second cooling housing part. In this way, one single housing may be capable of enclosing two beverage holders as an alternative to the previously mentioned embodiment.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the first and second cooling housing parts define a first and a second housing end part, respectively, the first and second housing end parts being positioned adjacent each other on the same side of the central housing element. In order to achieve a letter B configuration, the opposing ends of the cooling housing may be located adjacent each other on the same side of the central housing element.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the insulating layer is made of polystyrene foam (“Styrofoam”), plastics, glass, paper or paperboard. The above materials constitute materials which are known to be thermally insulating and therefore suitable as insulating material.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the external cooling system comprises a plurality of cooling housings, such as 2-16, preferably 3-12, more preferably 4-8, cooling housings, said plurality of cooling housings together being adapted for circumferentially enclosing said beverage holder. In order to provide a more flexible system, the system may comprise a plurality of cooling housings, such that when the cooling housings are assembled about a beverage holder, the beverage holder is fully or at least substantially enclosed by the cooling housings.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the insulating layer constitutes an enclosure defining a beverage inlet and a beverage outlet, and the beverage holder constitutes a tapping line extending between said beverage inlet and said beverage outlet. The beverage inlet preferably has a piercing element which is capable of piercing a beverage container. The beverage outlet may have a tapping device for controlled dispensing of the beverage. The tapping line within the enclosure should be adjacent and preferably be contacting the cooling housing which is located within the housing.

According to a further embodiment of the above aspect of the present invention, the non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction is capable of achieving a heat reduction of the beverage within the beverage holder capable of at least 50 Joules/ml beverage, preferably at least 70 Joules/ml beverage, such as 70-85 Joules/ml beverage, preferably approximately 80-85 Joules/ml, within a period of time of no more than 5 min. preferably no more than 3 min., more preferably no more than 2 min. The temperature of the beverage should preferably be reduced preferably by at least 15° C. or more preferably even 20° C., which for a water-based beverage corresponds to a heat reduction of the beverage of about 50 to 85 joules per liter of beverage. Any smaller temperature or heat reduction would not yield a sufficient cooling to the beverage, and the beverage would be still unsuitably warm when the chemical reaction has ended and the beverage is about to be consumed. Preferably, the chemical reaction produces a heat reduction of 120-240 J/ml of reactants, or most preferably 240-330 J/ml of reactants. Such cooling efficiency is approximately the cooling efficiency achieved by the melting of ice into water. The chemical reaction should preferably be as quick as possible, however still allowing some time for the thermal energy transport for avoiding ice formation near the cooling housing. It has been contemplated that preferably the heat or temperature reduction is accomplished within no more than five minutes or preferably no more than two minutes. These are time periods which are acceptable before beverage consumption. In the present context it may be noted that carbonated beverages typically allow a lower temperature of the cooling housing compared to non-carbonated beverages, since the formation of CO₂ bubbles rising in the beverage will increase the amount of turbulence in the beverage and therefore cause the temperature to equalize faster within the beverage.

The above objects together with numerous other objects, which will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred embodiments according to the present invention, are according to a second aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of externally cooling a beverage holder, the beverage holder holding a specific amount of beverage, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing an external cooling system comprising a cooling         housing having an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall         being of thermally conductive material, the cooling housing         defining an inner compartment including at least two separate,         substantially non-toxic reactants causing when reacting with one         another a non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction producing         substantially non-toxic products in a stoichiometric number at         least a factor 3, preferably at least a factor 4, more         preferably at least a factor 5 larger than the stoichiometric         number of the reactants, the at least two separate substantially         non-toxic reactants initially being included in the inner         compartment separated from one another, the external cooling         system further comprising an actuator for initiating the         reaction between the at least two separate, substantially         non-toxic reactants, and an insulating layer of thermally         insulating material enclosing the cooling housing,     -   arranging the external cooling system for circumferentially         enclosing and contacting at least a part of the beverage holder,         and     -   activating the actuator thereby causing the at least two         separate substantially non-toxic reactants to react with one         another in the non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction and         causing a heat reduction of the beverage within the beverage         holder.

The above method according to the second aspect is preferably used in connection with the system for externally cooling a beverage holder according to the first aspect. The external cooling system should be arranged about, adjacent or around the beverage holder or beverage holders, such that the inner wall of the cooling housing is contacting or at least is facing the beverage holders. When the user desires a cool beverage, the user may activate the actuator thereby allowing the beverage within the beverage holders to be chilled.

The above objects together with numerous other objects which will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred embodiments according to the present invention and are according to a third aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of producing an external cooling system for a beverage holder, the beverage holder holding a specific amount of beverage, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a flat cooling housing pre-form having an inner wall         and an outer wall, said inner wall being of thermally conductive         material, said housing pre-form comprising an inner compartment         including at least two separate, substantially non-toxic         reactants causing when reacting with one another a         non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction producing         substantially non-toxic products in a stoichiometric number at         least a factor 3, preferably at least a factor 4, more         preferably at least a factor 5 larger than the stoichiometric         number of the reactants, the at least two separate substantially         non-toxic reactants initially being included in the inner         compartment separated from one another and causing, when         reacting with one another in the non-reversible,         entropy-increasing reaction, a heat reduction of said beverage         within said beverage holder,     -   applying an actuator onto the flat cooling housing pre-form, the         actuator being capable of initiating the reaction between the at         least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants,     -   forming a cooling housing from the cooling housing pre-form by         deep drawing the cooling housing pre-form, thereby causing the         first surface to form an inner wall for circumferentially         enclosing and contacting at least a part of the beverage holder,         and     -   enclosing the cooling housing in an insulating layer of         thermally insulating material.

The above method according to the third aspect is preferably to produce a system for externally cooling a beverage holder according to the first aspect. The cooling housing is provided in a flat shape. The actuator is preferably applied before the deep drawing step. The deep drawing should be made without initiating the chemical reaction. The deep drawing should be made to conform to the beverage holders for which the system is intended. Preferably after deep drawing, the thermal insulating material is applied covering the outer wall of the cooling housing.

It is evident that any of the embodiments presented in connection with the first aspect are equally applicable in relation to the second aspect and the third aspect.

The above objects together with numerous other objects which will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred embodiments according to the present invention are according to a further aspect of the present invention obtained by a method of producing an ice pop comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing an outer bag and an inner bag, the inner bag defining         a cavity for receiving a beverage, each of the outer bag and the         inner bag defining an upper rim at which the outer bag and the         inner bag are welded together, thereby defining a sealed         compartment between the outer bag and the inner bag, the         compartment including substantially non-toxic reactants causing         when reacting with one another a non-reversible,         entropy-increasing reaction producing substantially non-toxic         products in a stoichiometric number at least a factor 3,         preferably at least a factor 4, more preferably at least a         factor 5 larger than the stoichiometric number of the reactants,         the at least two separate substantially non-toxic reactants         initially being included in the inner compartment separated from         one another and causing, when reacting with one another in the         non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction, a heat reduction of         the beverage within the cavity of said inner bag, said outer bag         including a layer of insulating material,     -   filling an amount of beverage into the cavity of the inner bag,         and     -   initiating the reaction.

It is contemplated that various liquid products may be instantly frozen using the above method. In order to easily remove the ice pop after freezing, a further step of introducing a stick into said cavity of said inner bag may be performed before initiating the reaction. The inner and outer bags are preferably made of plastic material. Preferably, the outer bag comprises an actuator in order to initiate the chemical reaction of the reactants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cooling container having a cooling housing and an insulating layer.

FIG. 1B is a cooling container having a cooling housing and two insulating layers.

FIG. 1C is a cooling container having an insulating layer and a PCM layer.

FIG. 1D is a cooling container having a PCM layer adjacent the insulating layer.

FIG. 1E is a cooling container having a segmented layer of PCM.

FIG. 1F is a cooling container having a PCM inside the cooling housing mixed.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a cooling beverage coaster.

FIG. 2B is a cut out view of a cooling beverage coaster.

FIG. 3 is a cooling beverage glass.

FIG. 4 is a cooling box for a beverage glass.

FIG. 5 is a cooling housing adapted for being inserted into a beverage glass.

FIG. 6A is a set up for deep drawing a cooling housing from a flat pre-form.

FIG. 6B is a step of deep drawing a cooling housing.

FIG. 6C is a finished cooling housing.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a beverage can in a cooling housing.

FIG. 7B is a cut out view of a beverage can in a cooling housing.

FIG. 8A is a cooling system including a cooling block having the shape of an “8”.

FIG. 8B is a cooling box including two beverage cans.

FIG. 9A is a cooling system with a cooling block having the shape of a “B”.

FIG. 9B is another cooling system with a cooling block having the shape of a “B”.

FIG. 10A is a cooling system comprising eight cooling blocks.

FIG. 10B is a cooling box including two beverage cans.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser for one beverage can.

FIG. 11B is a cut out view of a beverage dispenser for one beverage can.

FIG. 11C is a cut out view of a beverage dispenser having a chilled tapping line.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser when in use.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser for a large can.

FIG. 13B is a partially cut out view of a beverage dispenser for a large can.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a refillable cooling system.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cooling system using the chimney effect.

FIG. 16 is a cut out view of a beverage dispensing system for a beverage keg.

FIG. 17 is a method of producing instant ice cream.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a cylinder symmetrical view of a cooling container 10. The cooling container 10 comprises an outer insulating layer 12. The insulating layer 12 may comprise extruded polystyrene foam or any similar material having a low thermal conductivity. The cooling container 10 further comprises a beverage can 14 comprising an amount of beverage 16. The beverage container 14 is in the present embodiment an aluminium can, however, other beverage containers are feasible. In between the insulating layer 12 and the beverage container 14, a cooling housing 18 is located. The cooling housing 18 defines an inner wall 20, which is circumferentially enclosing and contacting the beverage container 14. The cooling housing 18 further defines an outer wall 22, which is located adjacent the insulation layer 12, which thus circumferentially encloses the cooling housing 18. The cooling housing 18 comprises an inner compartment including at least two separate substantially non-toxic reactants 24 causing when reacting with one another an entropy increasing reaction producing substantially non-toxic products in a stoichiometric number of at least a factor 3. The chemical reaction causes a heat reduction of the beverage 16 within the beverage container 14. The cooling housing 18 further comprises an actuator (not shown). The actuator may be operated by the user for initiating the chemical reaction within the cooling housing 18. The actuator may include a small amount of water, which causes the reactants within the cooling housing 18 to contact and react.

FIG. 1B shows a cylinder symmetrical view of a cooling container 10 ^(I). The cooling container 10 ^(I) resembles the cooling container 10 of FIG. 1A, however, a further insulation layer 26 is provided between the cooling housing 18 and the beverage container 14. The purpose of the further insulation layer 26 is to level out the temperature difference between the cooling housing 18 and the beverage 16 once the chemical reaction has initiated. When the chemical reaction in the cooling housing 18 has been initiated, the temperature of the cooling housing may fall below zero degrees centigrade. This may cause ice formation adjacent the wall of the beverage container 14 within the beverage 16. Such ice crust formation within the beverage 16 may cause the beverage 16 to deteriorate. The further insulation layer 26 should be significantly thinner than the insulating layer 12 in order to provide an efficient cooling of the beverage 16. The further insulation layer 26 may be of the same or a similar material as the insulating layer 12.

FIG. 1C shows a cylinder symmetrical view of a cooling container 10 ^(II). The cooling container 10 ^(II) resembles the cooling container 10 ^(I) of FIG. 1B, however, the further insulation layer has been exchanged by a layer of PCM (Phase Change Material) 28. The layer of PCM 28 is thus located between the beverage container 14 and the outer wall 22 of the cooling housing 18. The PCM 28 has a high heat of fusion and a melting temperature around 0° C. Thus, the PCM 28 is liquid when exposed to room temperature, however, it may solidify when exposed to the cold of the chemical reaction within the cooling housing 18. When the chemical reaction is initiated within the cooling housing 18, the temperature within the cooling housing 18 may fall below 0° C., which causes some of the PCM 28 to assume solid state at the temperature about 0° C. The beverage 16 within the beverage container 14 will thus only be exposed to temperatures above 0° C. and any ice formation within the beverage 16 will be avoided. The PCM 28 is thus a latent storage of negative heat energy, i.e. cooling. Water is a suitable PCM. The water may be mixed with salts, salt hydrates or glycol in order to change the freezing/melting temperature.

FIG. 1D is a cylinder symmetrical view of a cooling container 10 ^(III). The cooling container 10 ^(III) is identical to the cooling container 10 ^(II) of FIG. 1C except that the PCM 28′ is located adjacent the outer wall 22 of the cooling housing, i.e. between the cooling housing 18 and the insulating layer 12. In this way, the temperature gradient over the insulating layer 12 may be reduced in comparison with the previous embodiment. Thus, the heat transfer through the insulating layer will be lower and the cooling efficiency of the cooling housing 18 with respect to the beverage 16 will be increased, however, there is a risk in case the chemical reaction of the reactant within the cooling housing 18 yields a temperature of the cooling housing significantly below zero that ice will appear within the beverage 16, since there is no protective layer between the inner wall 20 of the cooling housing and the beverage container 14.

FIG. 1E is a cylinder symmetrical view of the cooling container 10 ^(IV). The present cooling container 10 ^(IV) is similar to the previous cooling container 10 ^(III) and 10 ^(II), however, the cooling housing 18 and the PCM 28″ are both extending between the insulation layer 12 and the beverage container 14. The cooling housing 18 and the PCM 28″ define an alternating relationship in the spacing in between the insulating layer 12 and the beverage container 14.

FIG. 1F shows a cylinder symmetrical view of a beverage container 10 ^(V). The cooling container 10 ^(V) is similar to the previous cooling container 10 ^(IV), however, the cooling housing 18 extends all the way between the insulating layer 12 and the beverage container 14, whereas the PCM 28′″ is located within the cooling housing 18. In this way, there is a direct contact between the reactants 24 within the cooling housing 18 and the PCM 28′″.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a beverage coaster 30. The beverage coaster 30 contacts the bottom of a beverage holder in the form of an ordinary beverage glass 14′. The beverage coaster 30 may maintain the beverage 16 within the beverage glass 14′ at a low temperature for a longer time compared with using a normal passive beverage coaster of e.g. paper material as provided in most bars and restaurants. The present beverage coaster 30 is active in the sense that it provides cooling to the bottom of the beverage glass 14′ via a chemical reaction as previously described taking place within the beverage coaster 30 for allowing the temperature of the beverage coaster 30 to fall below room temperature, even to a temperature below 0° C.

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of the beverage coaster 30. The beverage coaster 30 forms a housing for the reactants 24. The beverage coaster 30 forms an inner wall 20, which is contacting the bottom of the beverage glass 14′ and an outer wall 22, which is covered by an insulation layer 12. The insulation layer 12 prevents any heat from the surroundings, e.g. the table, from entering the beverage 16. The beverage coaster 30 further comprises an actuator 32. The actuator 32 includes a small chamber containing water and a button accessible from outside the beverage coaster 30. By pressing the button, the water is injected into the housing containing the reactants 24 through a small aperture which may be sealed by a rupturable membrane. The water will initiate the chemical reaction providing the cooling. Such actuators may be used in all of the preceding and following embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a cut-out view of a self cooling beverage glass 34 including a beverage 16. The beverage glass 34 comprises an inner wall 20 and an outer wall 22. The inner wall 20 is located adjacent the beverage 16. The reactants 24 are located between the inner wall 20 and outer wall 22. The outer wall 22 is covered by an insulation layer 12. In this way, the beverage may be maintained chilled for a longer time due to the active cooling provided by the chemical reaction.

FIG. 4 shows a cut-out view of a cooling box 36. The cooling box comprises a lower section 38 and a lid 40. The lower section 38 of the cooling box 36 includes a beverage glass 14 ^(II). The cooling box 36, i.e. both the lower section 38 and the lid 40 comprise an inner wall 20 and an outer wall 22. The chemical reactants 24 are located between the inner wall 20 and the outer wall 22. The outer wall 22 is surrounded by an insulating layer 12. The beverage glass 14 ^(II) may be stored within the cooling box 36 in order to provide a cool glass 14 ^(II).

FIG. 5 shows a cut-out view of a beverage glass 14 ^(II) and a cooling insert 42. The cooling insert 42 defines an inner wall 20, an outer wall 22 and an enclosed space between them including reactants 24. The outer wall 22 of the cooling insert 42 fits inside a beverage glass 14 ^(III). The beverage may be filled directly into the cooling insert 42, which may chill and hold the beverage at a lower temperature. The beverage glass 14 ^(III) may be of insulating material.

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view illustrating a method of preparing a cooling container. The method includes the provision of a deep drawing device 44 comprising a cavity 46 and a punch 48. A cooling housing pre-form 50 is provided. The pre-form 50 is flat and defines a first surface 52 and a second surface 54 opposite the first surface 52. The first surface 52 and the second surface 54 enclose the reactants 24. The pre-form 50 is preferably made of a flexible and formable material such as plastics.

FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of the deep drawing of a cooling container. The punch 48 is inserted into the cavity 46 with the pre-form 50 located between the punch 48 and the cavity 46. The pre-form 50 will thereby be reshaped as shown in the following figure.

FIG. 6C shows a cut-out view of a finished cooling container 56. The first surface 52 of the pre-form has now been reshaped to constitute the inner wall 20 of the cooling container 56 and the second surface 54 of the cooling container 56 has been reshaped to constitute the outer wall 22 of the cooling container 56. The reactants 24 are located in between the inner wall 20 and the outer wall 22 of the cooling container 56.

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a beverage can 14 located within a cooling container 56. The cooling container 56 should preferably have an outer insulating layer in order for the cooling of the beverage within the beverage can 14 to be efficient.

FIG. 7B shows a cut-out view of the beverage container 14 and the cooling container 56. It is clearly shown that the inner wall 20 of the cooling container should be located adjacent and contacting the beverage container 14. An insulating layer should preferably cover the outer wall 22 of the cooling container 56. The upper end part of the cooling container, which for illustration purposes has been shown being open, should be closed off by suitable means to avoid leakage.

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a cooling block 58 capable of enclosing two beverage cans 14. The cooling block 58 includes the reactants (not shown). The cooling block is preferably made of a flexible material and comprises a first portion 60 and a second portion 62. The first portion 60 and the second portion 62 are bent in opposite directions such that the end parts of the respective portions 60, 62 are both located adjacent a centre portion interconnecting the first portion 60 and the second portion 62 thereby forming two adjacent loops, each being capable of enclosing one beverage container 14. The cooling block 58 and both beverage containers 14 are packed in an insulating cardboard box 63. The cooling block comprises an actuator 32 similar to the actuator presented in connection with FIG. 2B.

FIG. 8B shows the cooling block 58 enclosing the beverage containers 14 and packed inside the insulating cardboard box 63. When the user desires a cool beverage, the user may open the box 60, initiate cooling by activating an actuator 32 of the cooling block 58, close the box 63 for some minutes and reopen the box 63 for collecting the cool beverage containers 14.

FIG. 9A shows a further embodiment of a cooling block 58 ^(I) located within an insulating cardboard box 63. In the present embodiment, the cooling block 58 ^(I) encloses two beverage cans 14. In the present embodiment, both the first portion 60 and the second portion 62 of the cooling block. 58 ^(I) are bent in the same direction until the respective ends meet at the centre portion of the cooling block 58 ^(II), thereby forming two loops.

FIG. 9B shows a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of a cooling block 58 ^(II) located within an insulating cardboard box 63. In the present embodiment, the cooling block 58 ^(II) has a first portion 60, which is straight, i.e. not bent, and a second portion 62, which forms a corrugated shape for enclosing two beverage cans 14 together with the first portion 60.

FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment resembling the embodiment shown in connection with FIG. 8A. A plurality of cooling blocks 58 ^(III) are shown, each defining an inner circular cylindrical portion 20 and an outer quarter portion 22. In the present embodiment, a total of eight such cooling blocks 58 ^(III) are provided, each cooling block 58 ^(III) capable of enclosing substantially one fourth of the circumference of a cylindrical beverage can 14.

FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of eight cooling boxes 58 ^(III) located within an insulating cardboard box 60 together with two beverage containers.

FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of a dispenser 64 and a beverage can 14. The beverage dispenser comprises an inlet in the form of a piercing element 66 and an outlet 68 for tapping the beverage.

FIG. 11B shows a cut-out view of the beverage container 14 and the dispenser 64. The dispenser 64 comprises an outer insulating layer 12 and an inner cooling body 70. In between the cooling body 70 and the insulating layer 12, a beverage space 72 is located. The cooling body 70 includes reactants 24. The piercer 66 may be inserted through the bottom of the beverage container 14 in order for the beverage 16 within the beverage container 14 to flow via the inlet and piercer 66 into the beverage space 72. The cooling body 70 will, when activated, cool down the beverage flowing into the beverage space 72. Optionally, a sealing gasket 74 may be used for preventing leakage.

FIG. 11C shows an alternative embodiment of the dispenser 64 ^(I) resembling the dispenser 64 of FIG. 11B, except that a dispensing line 76 is provided between the inlet 66 and the outlet 68. The reactants 24 are located in the space between the insulating layer 12 and the dispensing line 76.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the beverage can 14 and any of the dispensers 64, 64 ^(I) when in use. When the piercer has pierced the bottom of the beverage container 14, the tap 78 of the beverage container 14 may be operated in order to allow air to enter the beverage container 14 and allow the beverage 16 to flow out of the outlet 68 by gravity pull. The beverage is cooled between the inlet 66 and the outlet 68 due to the cooling reaction between the reactants 24 within the dispenser 64, 64 ^(I).

FIG. 13A shows a perspective view of a larger beverage can 14 and a cooling container 80. The bottom of the can 14 may be pierced by a piercer 66. The piercer 66 is connected via a tapping line 76′ to an outlet 68. The outlet includes a patting device for controlled tapping of the beverage in the beverage can 14. The cooling container comprises a cavity 82 for the dispensing line 76′.

FIG. 13B shows a perspective cut out view of the larger beverage can 14 within the cooling container 80. The cooling container 80 comprises an inner wall 20 located adjacent the beverage container 80 and an outer wall 22 opposite the inner wall 20. The outer wall 22 is preferably covered by an insulation layer. In-between the inner wall 20 and the outer wall 22, the chemical reactants are located. After the chemical reaction has been initiated, the beverage in the beverage container 80 will be chilled within a few minutes and the beverage may be dispensed by opening the beverage container 14 by opening the tab 78 and operating the tap at the outlet 68.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the larger beverage can 14 within an alternative cooling container 80′. The alternative cooling container 80′ is similar to the cooling container 80 of FIG. 13A except that a cap 84 is provided in the cooling container 80′. The cap 84 may be removed for introducing more chemical reactants. The cooling container 80′ is thereby reusable.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the larger beverage can 14 within yet an alternative cooling container 80″. The alternative cooling container. 80″ is similar to the cooling container 80 of FIG. 13A except that an insulating layer 12 is provided enclosing the outer wall 22 of the cooling container 80″ at a distance from the outer wall 22. In this way, additional cooling effect will be provided by means of the “chimney effect”, i.e. cool air from the surroundings will be sucked in between the outer wall 22 and the insulating layer 12 as shown by the arrows in the figure.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a beverage keg 14′″ within a beverage dispensing system 80′″. The beverage dispensing system 80′″ is similar to the cooling container 80 of FIG. 13A except that beverage dispensing system 80′″ is completely enclosed about the beverage keg 14′″ and that a long tapping line 76″ is used for transporting the beverage from the interior of the beverage keg 14′″ to the outside of the beverage dispensing system 80′″. The inner wall 20 of the beverage dispensing system 80′″ forms a pressure chamber which may be pressurized in order to force the beverage in the beverage keg 14′″ to the outside of the beverage dispensing system 80′″. The outer wall of the beverage dispensing system 80′″ may be covered by an insulating layer. The space in-between the inner wall 20 and the outer wall 22 is filled by reactants 24. The tapping line 76″ is preferably also partially located in-between the inner wall 20 and the outer wall 22 in order to provide additional cooling during the dispensing of the beverage.

FIG. 17A shows a perspective view of an outer bag 86 and a popsicle stick 88 which are used in a method of preparing an ice pop.

FIG. 17B shows a perspective cut-out view of an outer bag 86 and a stick 88. The outer bag 86 further comprises an inner bag 90. The inner bag 90 may be filled by a beverage 92. The outer bag 86 and the inner bag 90 are welded together and enclose an inner chamber which is filled by reactants 24. The stick 88 is positioned in the inner bag 24 partially submerged into the beverage 92. When the chemical reaction is initiated, the cooling effect generated thereby will cause the beverage to freeze within a short time period of a few minutes and thereby generate an ice pop.

FIG. 17C shows a perspective cut-out view of an outer bag 86 and the finished ice pop 94. When the ice pop 94 is frozen, it may be lifted out of the outer bag 88. It is contemplated that different kinds of frozen food products other than ice pops may be generated such as ice scream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yoghurt etc by using the correct mixtures of beverages and food products such as fruit juices, milk etc.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is of course contemplated that numerous Modifications may be deduced by a person having ordinary skill in the art and such modifications which are readily perceivable to a person skilled in the art should consequently be construed as being of the present invention as defined in the appending claims.

List of parts with reference to the figures 10. Cooling container 12. Insulating layer 14. Beverage container 16. Beverage 18. Cooling housing 20. Inner wall 22. Outer wall 24. Reactants 26. Further insulation 28. PCM 30. Beverage coaster 32. Activator 34. Self cooling beverage glass 36. Cooling box 38. Lower section 40. Lid 42. Cooling insert 44. Deep drawing device 46. Cavity 48. Punch 50. Preform 52. First surface 54. Second surface 56. Cooling container 58. Cooling block 60. First portion 62. Second portion 63. Cardboard box 64. Dispenser 66. Piercer 68. Outlet 70. Cooling body 72. Beverage space 74. Gasket 76. Dispensing line 78. Tab 80. Cooling container 82. Cavity 84. Cap 86. Outer bag 88. Stick 90. Inner bag 92. Beverage 94. Ice pop ′ denotes an alternative embodiment 

1. A system for externally cooling a beverage holder, said beverage holder holding a specific amount of beverage, said system comprising: a cooling housing having an inner wall and an outer wall, said inner wall being of thermally conductive material contacting at least a part of said beverage holder, said cooling housing defining an inner compartment including at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants, causing, when reacting with one another, a non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction producing substantially non-toxic products in a stoichiometric number at least a factor 3 larger than the stoichiometric number of said reactants, said at least two separate substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included in said inner compartment separated from one another and causing, when reacting with one another in said non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction, a heat reduction of said beverage within said beverage holder; an actuator operable for initiating said reaction between said at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants; and an insulating layer of thermally insulating material enclosing said cooling housing.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said cooling housing comprises a further layer of insulating material disposed in-between said inner compartment and said inner wall.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said cooling housing comprises a layer of PCM having a melting temperature of between −10° C. to 10° C. disposed in-between said inner compartment and said inner wall.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said inner wall defines a cavity configured for receiving a bottom portion of said beverage holder.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said inner wall is adapted for circumferentially enclosing said beverage holder and defining an inner cooling space.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said inner wall has a heat transfer coefficient 2-100 times greater than the heat transfer coefficient of the insulating layer.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said cooling housing comprises a lid configured for completely enclosing said beverage holder.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said cooling housing comprises a first cooling housing part and a second cooling housing part, each of said first and second cooling housing parts having an inner wall part and an outer wall part, each inner wall part of said first and second cooling housing parts being adapted for circumferentially encircling a first beverage holder and a second beverage holder, respectively, said first cooling housing part being connected through a central housing element of said cooling housing to said second cooling housing part, in which central housing element said inner wall of said first cooling housing part is connected to said outer wall part of said second cooling housing part, and said outer wall part of said first cooling housing part is connected to said inner wall part of said second cooling housing part.
 9. The system according to claim 8, said first and second cooling housing parts defining a first housing end part and a second housing end part, respectively, said first and second housing end parts being positioned juxtaposed said central housing element on opposite sides thereof.
 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said cooling housing comprises a first cooling housing part and a second cooling housing part, each of said first and second cooling housing parts having an inner wall part and an outer wall part, each inner wall part of said first and second cooling housing parts being adapted for circumferentially encircling a first and a second beverage holder, respectively, said first cooling housing part being connected through a central housing element of said cooling housing to said second cooling housing part, in which central housing element said inner wall of said first cooling housing part is connected to said inner wall part of said second cooling housing part, and said outer wall part of said first cooling housing part is connected to said outer wall part of said second cooling housing part.
 11. The system according to claim 10, said first and second cooling housing parts defining first and a second housing end parts, respectively, said first and second housing end parts being positioned adjacent each other on the same side of said central housing element.
 12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said insulating layer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene foam, plastics, glass, paper, and paperboard.
 13. The system according to claim 1, wherein said external cooling system comprises a plurality of cooling housings, said plurality of cooling housings together being adapted for circumferentially enclosing said beverage holder.
 14. The system according to claim 1, wherein said insulating layer constituting an enclosure defines a beverage inlet and a beverage outlet, said beverage holder constituting a tapping line extending between said beverage inlet and said beverage outlet.
 15. The system according to claim 1, wherein said non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction is capable of achieving a heat reduction of said beverage within said beverage holder being capable of at least 50 Joules/ml beverage within a period of time of no more than 5 min.
 16. A method of externally cooling a beverage holder, said beverage holder holding a specific amount of beverage, said method comprising the steps of: providing an external cooling system comprising a cooling housing having an inner wall and an outer wall, said inner wall being of thermally conductive material, said cooling housing defining an inner compartment including at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants causing, when reacting with one another, a non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction producing substantially non-toxic products in a stoichiometric number at least a factor 3 larger than the stoichiometric number of said reactants, said at least two separate substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included in said inner compartment separated from one another, said external cooling system further comprising an actuator configured for initiating said reaction between said at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants, and an insulating layer of thermally insulating material enclosing said cooling housing; arranging said external cooling system for circumferentially enclosing and contacting at least a part of said beverage holder; and activating said actuator, thereby causing said at least two separate substantially non-toxic reactants to react with one another in said non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction and causing a heat reduction of said beverage within said beverage holder.
 17. A method of producing an external cooling system for a beverage holder, said beverage holder holding a specific amount of beverage, said method comprising the steps of: providing a flat cooling housing pre-form having an inner wall and an outer wall, said inner wall being of thermally conductive material, said housing pre-form comprising an inner compartment including at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants causing, when reacting with one another a non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction producing substantially non-toxic products in a stoichiometric number at least a factor 3 larger than the stoichiometric number of said reactants, said at least two separate substantially non-toxic reactants initially being included in said inner compartment separated from one another and causing, when reacting with one another in said non-reversible, entropy-increasing reaction, a heat reduction of said beverage within said beverage holder; applying an actuator onto said flat cooling housing pre-form, said actuator being capable of initiating said reaction between said at least two separate, substantially non-toxic reactants; forming a cooling housing from said cooling housing pre-form by deep drawing said cooling housing pre-form, thereby causing said first surface to form an inner wall for circumferentially enclosing and contacting at least a part of said beverage holder; and enclosing said cooling housing in an insulating layer of thermally insulating material. 